SBA-15-supported copper catalysts containing highly dispersed Cu2O particles with Cu/Si of up to 20% were successfully prepared by simple impregnation followed by vacuum-thermal treatment. The Cu2O particles were reduced by hydrogen, and the resulting catalysts with small (1-4 nm) metallic Cu particles were applied for partial oxidation of propylene with molecular oxygen. The catalysts exhibited high activity and high acrolein selectivity. The presence of trimethylsilyl groups on the mesopores of SBA-15 was found advantageous for higher propylene conversion and acrolein yield and better catalytic stability. The relationship between conversion and selectivity was also studied. The best catalyst, with Cu/Si = 10%, showed an acrolein yield of 12.3% at 300 degrees C. In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopic study indicated that only Cu(l) and Cu(II) species are present under reaction conditions, with the fraction of Cu(II) increasing with rising temperature. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.